#hinamatsuri 2017

[snellyfish]

any shows/movies/anime etc you recommend? also how have you been?

HI :) On top of being super sick I also can't keep my iron levels up so I've just been sleeping a shit ton lately hfsdjkfd, I am a sleep MACHINE rn, hopefully I can get back to drawing again soon (anything I've been posting a lil bit of is just backlog RIP).

But anyway I am Always down to recommend my freak media;;

Shows: -Feel insane for this but Bate's Motel was like the most fun I ever had watching a show LOL. -Currently rewatching Lost Girl and maybe this is my nostalgia speaking but it's so uuhuhguhh<33 (I call it the queer womans Supernatural, bc it literally is, it's literally so campy and cringe but I love it so much) -Love Death & Robots but specifically Jibaro I mostly just watch movies and anime I can't think of anything else SOWWY

Movies: -Devil's Carnival (2012)(horror/musical)(mostly the sequel hghghghrhg it's so GOOD favorite movie ever #1 always) -Creep (2014)(found footage/horror)(but ALSO mostly the sequel) -Pearl (2022)(horror/drama)(it's a prequel but the original movie was bad) -The Babysitter (2017)(horror/comedy)(ignore the sequel it sucks) -Bernie (2011)(drama/comedy) -Zombieland (2009)(comedy/horror-ish?) -District 9 (2009)(sci-fi/horror??/found footage?) -Music and Lyrics (2007)(romance/comedy/musical)(im a horror fanatic but this is like my one romcom. my guilty pleasure. its so good)

Anime: -Buddy Daddies (it's airing right now!! go check it out its cute and funny!!) -Hinamatsuri -Saiki K -Michiko and Hatchin -Ranking of Kings -Space Dandy

Can I recommend manga too and say Goodbye Eri

[mysticdragon3art]

Every year I forget about Hinamatsuri until the last minute.  So until I get my 2020 Hinadan up, here’s my 2017 Hinadan.  HAPPY HINAMATSURI! Figure photography using figures:  *Nendoroid Sanada Yukimura with Kageyama Tobio's crown and cardboard shaku. *Chibi-Arts C.C. with Nendroid cheerful Kaito right hand/fan and crown I made for Hinata Shoyo. *Custom Nendoroid Kikyo from Nendoroid Sawako Kuronuma hair, Nendoroid Tomoe body, Nendoroid Devil Homura faceplate, Hozuki's right hand, and gashapon Kikyo's shinidamachuu, using Nendoroid Shokaku accessory stand. *Nendoroid Devil Homura. *Custom Nendoroid Rukia from Nendoroid Sebastian Michaelis hair, Mikasa Ackerman's hair, Nendoroid Homura faceplate, Nendoroid Nozomu Itoshiki torso, Mikazuki Munechika hakama/legs, Satsuki Kiryuuin right hand, senbonzakura Kaito's sword, and Tina's left hand. *Nendoroid Date Masamune. *Nendoroid Kagamine Rin. *Nendoroid Kagamine Len. *Nendoroid harvest moon Miku. *Nendoroid Elsa with cheerful Kaito's left hand/fan. *Nendoroid Shokaku. *Nendoroid Archer. *Nendoroid Kageyama Tobio. *Nendoroid Hinata Shoyo. *Nendoroid Nishinoya Yu.

[grainofwit]

Sweets for hina-matsuri.

[nippon-com]

Hina dolls are customarily displayed in the days leading up to the hinamatsuri, or doll festival, on March 3. But doll maker Mataro got an early start by unveiling its "unusual” series of hinaningyō featuring such top news icons of 2017 as fleet-footed Kiryū Yoshihide, engaged-to-be-engaged Princess Mako, and Ueno Zoo’s baby panda Shan Shan.

[eyfey]

MANGA REC LIST

I’ve been meaning to update this for a while, and I finally got around to it!

if you’re looking for some new manga to read, here’s my rec list below:

----

These are all varying levels of good- some are AMAZING and some are just a fun read.

For the most part I tried not to include REALLY popular series (like yeah: One Punch Man and Detective Conan and One Piece and whatever are good! but also you’ve probably already read them!)

Also, the categories are just for the sake of organization- take them with a grain of salt. Most of the series are comedy, even those not in the comedy section.

Bonus: here’s a post with more detailed descriptions for 10 of these series, including an example page from each.

and you can also check my manga recs tag I guess

----

~2/20/21 UPDATE~

-

Hey! Comedy! -Hatarakanai Futari -Rojiura Kyoudai -Komi-san wa Komyushou Desu -Nazeda Naitou -Mechanical Marie Fun Times with Monsters and Demons -Yuko Sae Tatakaeba -Mairimashita! Iruma-kun -Maou-jou de Oyasumi -Nicola's Leisurely Demon World Travelogue -Heterogeneous Linguistics It's Romcom! -Futari Ashita mo Sorenari ni -Boku no Kokoro no Yabai Yatsu -Koudaike no Hitobito -Soushi Souai -The Story of an Engaged Couple That Doesn't Get Along Chill Slice o' Life -Yugami-kun ni wa Tomodachi ga Inai -Skip to Loafer -Kimi wa Houkago Insomnia -Koi wa Hikari -Boku to Kimi no Taisetsu na Hanashi Watercolor Vibes -Blue Period -Machida-kun no Sekai -Tokyo Alien Bros -Otoyomegatari -Witch Hat Atelier LGBT -Uchi no Musuko wa Tabun Gay (My Son is Probably Gay) -Shimanami Tasogare (Our Dreams At Dusk) -Sorairo Flutter (That Blue Sky Feeling) -Ao no Flag (Blue Flag) -Kimi ni wa Todokanai (I Will Not Reach You) Gender Bender Time -Pumpkin Time (MTF) -Queen Cecia's Shorts (FTM) -About a Lazy Guy Who Woke Up as a Girl One Morning (MTF) -The Villain Discovered My Identity (FTM) -Irregular Empress (FTMTF) The DRAMA of it All -Oshi no Ko -Three Days of Happiness -Inso's Law -Cheese in the Trap -I Will Die Soon ngl These are Kinda Fucked Up  (but like... still really good) -Sachiiro no One Room -I Shaved. Then I Brought a High School Girl Home -Bastard (Hwang Youngchan) -Yuki ni Tsubasa -Hibiki - Shousetsuka ni Naru Houhou Sounds Weird at First but Actually They’re p Good -Ano Hito no I ni wa Boku ga Tarinai -Sono Bisque Doll wa Koi wo Suru -Otome Kaijuu Caramelize -Mieruko-chan -Kusuriya no Hitorigoto Webtoons that are Good to Read -Homeless (or some sites have it as “No Home”) -Dam of the Forest -End and Save -Please Take Care of Me in This Life as Well -Her Summon Violence! (but like- also comedy) -The Violence Action -Nanba MG5 -Saihate no Paladin -Raise wa Tanin ga Ii -Spy x Family Isekai ~Boyz Night~ -Kamitachi ni Hirowareta Otoko -Maou ni Natta node, Dungeon Tsukutte Jingai Musume to Honobono suru -Kage no Jitsuryokusha ni Naritakute -Isekai Yakkyoku -Isekai Ojisan Isekai ~Girlz Night~ -Honzuki no Gekokujou -Sengoku Komachi Kuroutan: Noukou Giga (technically this one is time travel not isekai but close enough) -Crimson Karma -Beast with Flowers -The Lady’s Spaceship Isekai but with Food -Dungeon Meshi -Tondemo Skill de Isekai Hourou Meshi -Gensou Gourmet -Isekai Izakaya "Nobu" -Isekai Ryouridou Reincarnated as a Villainess -When the Villainess Loves -Beware of the Villainess! -Villainess Level 99 ~I May Be the Hidden Boss but I'm Not the Demon Lord~ -Jishou Akuyaku Reijou na Konyakusha no Kansatsu Kiroku -Otome Game no Hametsu Flag shika nai Akuyaku Reijou ni Tensei shite shimatta... Lady Knight! (when the lady is also a knight!) -Emperor and the Female Knight -Blinded by the Setting Sun -Bring the Love -Truthfully They Only Remembered Her -This Girl Is a Little Wild Reborn as a lil Babby -Who Made Me a Princess -Am I the Daughter? -Lady Baby -The Twin Siblings -The Youngest Princess More Children, but These Ones Weren’t Reincarnated (Probably) -Chichi to Hige-Gorilla to Watashi -Baby, Kokoro no Mama ni! -Yotsubato! -Dungeon Nursery -The Monster Duchess and Contract Princess Look: It's about FAMILY -Yuzuki-san Chi no Yon Kyoudai -Ohayou Toka Oyasumi Toka -Ikoku Nikki -Mizu wa Umi ni Mukatte Nagareru -A Boy's Scar

---

~ORIGINAL LIST: Made sometime in like 2017 or 2018~

-

COMEDY my dude -Saiki Kusuo no PSI nan -Pyu to Fuku! Jaguar -Sket Dance -My Name is Zushio -Samon the Summoner Supernatural pt1 (Youkai) -Demi-chan wa Kataritai -Natsume Yuujinchou -Satou-kun no Juunan Seikatsu -Fukigen na Mononokean -Takeo-chan Bukkairoku Supernatural pt 2 (Not-Youkai) -Hinamatsuri -Lookism -Mob Psycho 100 -Spirit Circle -Flying Witch Kinda Old n’ Obscure -Kyuukyoku Choujin R -Kyou Kara Ore Wa -Lucu Lucu -Ocha Nigosu -Yamada Tarou Monogatari Gender Benders/Crossdressing/Body Swaps -Shishunki Bitter Change -Usotsuki Lilly -AKB49 -Prunus Girl -Samurai High School Shounen/Seinen Series with Fighting -Birdmen -Saike mata Shitemo -Vinland Saga -Ajin -To You the Immortal (Fumetsu no Anata e) Shounen/Seinen Series without Fighting -Piano no Mori -3-gatsu no Lion -Hammer Session -Kings’ Viking -Oyasumi Punpun Romance pt1 (a mixed bag) -Love is Hard for an Otaku -High Score Girl -Horimiya -Ojojojo -Hoshino, Me wo Tsubutte Romance pt2 (It’s about the comedy) -Kaguya wants to be Confessed to -Ouji ga Watashi o Akiramenaide -Boku wa Ohimesama ni narenai -Yandere Kanojo -Tsurezure Children Romance pt2 (Very Shoujo) -Warau Kanoko-sama (and the sequel: Koi dano Ai dano) -Ore Monogatari -Last Game -Nekota no Koto ga Kininatte Shikatanai -Akagami no Shirayuki Hime Romance pt3 (Less about the romance, more about other stuff) -Gekkan Shoujo Nozaki-kun -Karakuri Odette -ReLIFE -Pochi Kuro -Akatsuki no Yona Look. Just trust me on these. -Lucifer and the Biscuit Hammer -Sumire 16-sai -Fujimi Lovers -Angel Densetsu -Nickelodeon You said it’s about… what? (weird plot but good) -Donyatsu -Shiori Experience -Uchi no Maou Kamimasen yo -Makai no Ossan -Katana (Kamata Kimiko) Warning: Ecchi (but still p good actually) -Mousou Telepathy -Hatsukoi Zombie -Sankarea -Rosario to Vampire -Boku Girl Mostly just Cute -Bird Cafe -Gokicha!! -Odette -Nukoduke -Ryuushika Ryuushika Taking Care Of Children (Extra Adorable) -Chichikogusa -Gakuen Babysitters -Flat -Hisohiso - silent voice -Love So Life Girl + Supernatural Creature = Great -Mahoutsukai no Yome -Somali no Mori no Kamisama -Kuro -Totsukuni no Shoujo -Suijin no Hanayome (by Touma Rei) New Start In Another World (isekais) -Ore to Kawazu-san no Isekai Hourouki -Kumo desu ga, nani ka? -+A Taichi -Moon-led Journey Across Another World -The New Gate RPG World (technincally not isekais? but very isekai-ish) -Tsuyokute New Saga -Good Night World -Sekai Maou -Toaru Ossan no VRMMO Katsudouki -Senyuu 4koma pt1 (Focus on Girl(s)) -Dekoboko Girlish -Love Lab -Tomo-chan wa Onna no ko! -Waratte! Sotomura-san -T-Rex na Kanojo 4koma pt2 (Focus on Guy(s)) -Kuzumi-kun Kuuki Yometemasuka? -Handa-kun -Kao ni Dasenai Yoshizawa-kun -Tanaka-kun wa Itsumo Kedaruge -Tonari no Seki-kun Technically a Harem??? (whatever- don’t worry about it) -Rokudo no Onnatachi -Jitsu-wa Watashi wa -Chikyuu no Houkago -Yamada and the 7 witches -Fujimura-kun Mates

---

Also keep an eye out for if these ever get picked up (very few chapters translated or Japan only)

-Moukin-chan -Kawaii Hito (Saitou Ken) -Time Slip Ota Girl

[conflagrate]

These were a few of my favouritest things - 2018 edition

once again recapping what have been my fave series since I started this tumblr:

2017: Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju S2 2016: Yuri on Ice 2015: Akatsuki no Yona 2014: Gekkan Shojo Nozaki-kun 2013: Love Lab 2012: Jinrui wa Suitai Shimashita 2011: Fate/zero S1 2010: Saraiya Goyou

2018 was a good year! Drum roll****

Best series of the year: Yuru Camp

Warm and fuzzy~~~~

Best of the Rest Yagate Kimi ni Naru

The best yuri anime we don’t deserve /not worthy/

SAO ALT: GGO

Badass.

Emiya-san’chi no Kyo no Gohan

FOOD GLORIOUS FOOD (and oh it’s not finished yet!!!)

Hinamatsuri

/digs nose/

Sora Yori mo Tooi Basho

Friendship is built upon frozen dreams.

Megalo Box

Fists of fury.

Fave Individual Episodes Violet Evergarden 10

I have never cried so hard watching an anime.

Darling in the FranXX 13

Heartbreak seems to be my favourite theme.

Yagakimi 6

Riverbed scene was sooooo good

Hinamatsuri 6

ANZUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU

Zombieland Saga 01

Death Musume was the best thing ever, shame it didn’t last long.

Revue Starlight 10

MA CLAUDINEEEE MA MAYAAAAA

Fave Girl: Asirpa

My golden-faced girl!!!!

Runner-up: Kesshoban (Platelet). I’ve turned into a lolicon this year (ry

Fave Boy: Honda-san

SPECIAL YAOI BOOK!!

Fave non-human: KIRIN

Wakarimasu????

Fave Girl x Girl: MayaKuro

I fantasized about them the most this year w even if there was nothing to imply they were romantically tied wwww (ofc Mei x Yuzu and Touko/Yuu are much loooveee too <3)

Fave Boy x Boy: Ash x Eiji

It has got to be them!!

Best manga: Sekai de Ichiban Oppai ga Suki!

No manga made me cry (with laughter) so hard this year as this. So much damned genius in it, it’s made me look at (my) boobs differently.

Other: Gokushufudo (yakuza husbands are the rage), Nettaigyo wa Yuki ni Kogareru (so good slow burn!!), Tsurezure Biyori (so much bliss~~), Jujutsu Kaisen, Koiiji, Runway de Waratte,,, and of course a special mention for Yagakimi which hit me in the feels so hard this year…

I can hardly breathe reading each chapter.

Happy New Years! and on to 2019, which will hopefully be even better!

[diario-secreto-bjd]

Día de las muñecas: ¿Cuándo es realmente?

Llega un momento en el que todos queremos celebrar un día para nuestras dolls. Ya sean chicos o chicas, animales místicos o personajes imaginarios, uno siente la necesidad de recordarlas y celebrar un día, pero la pregunta llega... ¿Cuál es exactamente este día? - Dependiendo de las tradiciones, el tipo de muñecos y la región geográfica, esto puede variar bastante (sin contar los “días de las muñecas” inventados porque a alguien se le ocurrió un lindo #hastag en algún lado de Internet, vamos a hablar de los mas tradicionales).

* Nombre del festival: “Hina Matsuri” (traducido del japonés “Festival de las Muñecas”, también conocido como “Día de la Niñas”).

- País de origen: Japón (y Asia en general).

- Fecha/s: Se celebra todos los años el 3 del mes 3 (Marzo).

*Aunque a principios del 2000, Japón implemento el sistema de "Happy Monday System" que hace que los feriados se "corran" generalmente a los Lunes para tener asi un 'fin de semana largo'.

- Sitio Web: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hinamatsuri -- https://www.facebook.com/NorikoKondo2017/

- Historia y significado: El Hina Matusuri traza sus orígenes al periodo Japonés ‘Heian’, en el cual originalmente se enviaban las muñecas ‘viejas’ a bordo de un ‘bote’ o barcaza, a través del río hacia el mar abierto (para llevar consigo problemas y malos espíritus - esto no se hace mas hoy día porque después se empezaron a “trabar” en las redes de los pescadores, así que ahora las llevan al mar pero luego las recuperan y las queman en un “funeral” realizado por los monjes de los templos). - Esto deriva de la creencia oriental de que los espíritus de los muertos pueden ocupar los “cuerpos”de las muñecas/os ‘para sentirse amados’, pero de pasar mucho tiempo con un mismo niño/a (que eventualmente es humano y crece haciéndose adulto), pueden llegar a causar “problemas” por ser posesivos y "celosos" de sus dueños (~cualquiera que haya visto una película de horror oriental con dolls sabe de lo que estoy hablando, es una parte de la cultura allí, algo muy común por esos lugares, y aunque les “suene loco” para ellos es así, ...como para la mayoría de los argentinos el mate, el asado y el dulce de leche es “indispensable para seguir con vida” (y) ~). --- Lo peculiar de esta celebración es que a partir del mes de Febrero es cuando las familias generalmente comienzan a exhibir el ‘display’ (~si les parece “raro” hagan de cuenta que estamos hablando de un ‘pesebre’ y un ‘arbolito’ de navidad con nieve falsa en medio de nuestros Diciembres que son con 40 grados de térmica a la sombra, o sea, cada cultura tiene cosas que para otras pueden sonar ““ridículas””...~). - Este ‘display’ consiste en plataformas cubiertas con tela roja, sobre ellas se exhibe un conjunto de muñecas ‘hina’ tradicionales japonesas junto a un set de ornamentos y agasajos para las muñecas. Ellas representan al Emperador, la Emperatriz, sirvientes y músicos (entre otros miembros de la corte imperial) vestidos en ropas tradicionales del periodo Heian. -- El display de escalones rojos y muñecas es removido instantáneamente luego de la festividad del 3 de Marzo (para que no llegue ‘armado’ al 4 de Marzo), ya que la superstición dice que de no hacerlo, esto llevara a un casamiento “tardío” de la niña en la familia (~feministas por favor no me salten al cuello, estamos hablando de creencias milenarias como mínimo~). -- Como se imaginaran, el hecho de que todos los años no solo armen este ‘display’ de escalones rojos, sino que manden al mar o desechen/quemen en los templos las muñecas ““viejas”” lleva a que el día 3 de Marzo a las niñas/os se les regale siempre “una muñeca nueva” para reponer la vieja que fue desechada para que se llevara las “malas ondas” (~como diríamos en Argentina~). Así que tradicionalmente el 3 de Marzo se regalan muñecas nuevas (como abrir el regalo que nos dejó “Papa Noel” bajo el arbolito), y se disfruta de la celebración con sus exquisiteces tradicionales ya que es el último día para ver las muñecas en los escalones rojos (al menos hasta el próximo año). -- La festividad incluso tiene su propia canción folclórica cantada en Japonés: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFS9RZXu3YA ~ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BcIfIrS8QJ0 -- * Bibliografía: https://www.thoughtco.com/dolls-festival-and-hinamatsuri-song-2028024 -- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_holidays_in_Japan

 .

* Nombre del festival: “World Doll Day”

- País de origen: Estados Unidos de América (USA).

- Fecha/s: Se festeja los segundos sábados de Junio.

- Sitio Web: http://www.worlddollday.com/ - https://www.facebook.com/WorldDollDay/

- Historia y significado: Creado el 14 de Junio de 1986 (-no es una tradición milenaria, yo en el 86’ tenía cuatro años de edad ya-), se celebran las muñecas de un tipo mas ‘antiguo’ u ‘tradicional’, mas similar a la de las antiguas muñecas de bisque de la antigua Europa (Francia, Alemania, Inglaterra, etc.); - Creada por ‘Mildred Seeley’ (1918/2001), esta festividad es opulenta como lo anuncia su titulo, e intenta acaparar con ese sentimiento “ochentoso” (típico norteamericano) aclamando que ese día es ““el único y verdadero”” día de TODAS las muñecas (porque USA ‘rulez’, that’s why). -- Mildred Seeley fué una ávida coleccionista y escritora que, simplemente, decidió inventar un día sin ningún fundamento “para regalar muñecas” y “promover el amor y paz” (~que desafortunadamente rara vez representan el coleccionismo de muñecas en este país, Argentina~). -- Ella fué conocida por su gran colección de muñecas francesas antiguas y obras publicadas sobre el coleccionismo de muñecas de este tipo. - Este día no es parte de ningún ‘folklore ancestral’, sino mas bien una fecha “auto proclamada” por una coleccionista que hizo mucho por el tema de las dolls europeas de bisque, pero en nada estuvo relacionada con los dolls como nosotros las vemos hoy día. Era una persona aparentemente con una gran ambición, y lo más cerca que estuvo de algo similar a una doll de las que hoy hablamos, fue su libro “Beloved China Dolls” (publicado en 1996), y aun así, son muñecas antiguas realizadas en porcelana “brillante” china, o sea que sigue sin tener nada que ver... -- Aun así su trabajo fué impresionante para la rama de muñecas que a ella le interesaban, y pueden conseguir algunos de sus libros (como “Doll Collecting for Fun & Profit” de 1987) hoy por MercadoLibre si es que a alguien le interesa tener algo de esta autora. *(Para libros viejos contacten a este vendedor: http://perfil.mercadolibre.com.ar/LICENCIADOGANDOLFI/ , tiene cosas buenas y lo que no tiene lo consigue, pero todo de dolls antiguas de porcelana, bisque y pasta, generalmente Europeas). -- El lógo está realizado por el artista de muñecas ‘Boots Tyner’ y representa a una niña que lleva una muñeca Alemana de biscuit. -- * Bibliografía: https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/world-doll-day/ -- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mildred_Seeley

.

* Nombre del festival: “Bommai Kolu” (también conocido como: ‘Bomma Golu’ o ‘Bombe Habba’)

- País de origen: India. (Se celebra principalmente en el Sur de India, en los estados de ‘Tamil Nadu’, ‘Karnataka’, o ‘Andhra Pradesh’)

- Fecha/s: 22 de Septiembre (--Según los textos la celebración del equinoccio de otoño es la más importante. Esto supone que cambia de fecha así como las estaciones cambian dependiendo del país o región del mundo. El equinoccio de otoño en Argentina cae alrededor del 22 de Septiembre este año, pero en el año que viene {2018}, caería el 20 de Marzo, si tienen dudas usen un buscador de Internet para verificar que Google siempre sabe (y) --)

- Sitio Web: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golu

- Historia y significado: Es un festival de todo tipo de muñecas orientado a sociabilizar entre amigos y familiares a través de que las dolls los unen en un evento común, muñecos y juguetes o figuras. Se lleva a cabo durante el festival de “Navratri” (es una diosa hindú). -- Bommai Kolu en ‘Tamil’ significa básicamente "presencia divina", y Bommala Koluvu en ‘Telugu’ quiere decir "Corte de juguetes", mientras que Bombe Habba quiere decir "Festival de las muñecas". Recordemos que el budismo hindú no es igual al japonés, pero ciertos conceptos pueden compartirse. -- Esta es una festividad “relativamente desconocida” porque es difícil traducirla de manera consistente “de que se trata”. Dependiendo de que región de India se hable, toda la tradición en si misma varía un poco. -- El significado principal es una gran conexión en eras pasadas hacia la agricultura y la industria de la arcilla de la antigua India. Para los canales de riego de la agricultura debían incentivar la demanda por la arcilla que quitaban de los canales (para mantenerlos limpios y que el agua llegase a los cultivos), y la celebración del ‘Kolu’ marcó un papel esencial creando una mayor demanda por ese producto en esa época del año. - Hay muchas costumbres y creencias en diferentes partes de la región, otorgándole estatus casi “sagrado” a la arcilla (~no es de sorprender a los creyentes del antiguo testamento, digo, Dios según la Biblia creo al primer humano de arcilla/barro y luego le dio vida~), y también a las figuras talladas en madera (como algunos BJDs creados en este material); -- Es una época de alegría que a fin de cuentas, básicamente los une a través de los muñecos y muñecas, cada hogar crea un ‘display’ escalonado cubierto con una tela y sus figuras (las cuales en muchas ocasiones llevan varias generaciones en dicha familia) estando en lo mas alto las de las deidades, y luego abajo, representadas escenas de la vida diaria o de diferentes eventos religiosos hinduistas. Y así todos visitan las casas de familiares y amigos u vecinos para mostrarse entre ellos sus propios ‘displays’ escalonados de muñecas e intercambiar regalos o compartir dulces y comidas especialmente preparadas para la ocasión. - Se encienden lámparas y se hacen ofrendas a los dioses/diosas que cuidan desde lo alto de los altares a las figuras de los escalones inferiores. -- Promueve la expresión y la creatividad al hacer figuras en arcilla o madera (sin importar que tan buenos sean o no en ello como escultores), y une a las familias que viven lejos trabajando en algo juntos y dándose una festividad para visitarse. -- La celebración en su totalidad dura unos 9 a 10 días durante los cuales cada día se realizan actividades especificas que pertenecen a ‘la deidad celebrada ese día y sus atributos’.

.

* Nombre del festival: “Día del Niño” (también conocido como “Día Universal del Niño” que obviamente incluye a las niñas, claro...)

- País de origen: Argentina (entre otros países) - [¡Esta no podía faltar!]

- Fecha/s: En Argentina ahora se festeja el 3er Domingo de Agosto cada año (aunque los gobiernos argentinos pueden mover el día a cuando les convenga mas. Originalmente se festejaba el 1er Domingo de Agosto, en el 2003 se cambio al 2do Domingo de Agosto, y ahora "Dios sabe cuando", así que cada año verifiquen el almanaque).

- Sitio Web: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Children%27s_Day

- Historia y significado: Tras la Primera Guerra Mundial (-entran personas hasta de 16 años en esta celebración-) se comenzó a generar una preocupación y conciencia sobre la necesidad de protección especial para los niños/as. - Si bien la celebración esta mas orientada hacia la protección de los derechos humanos y el bienestar de los niños u adolescentes, es innegable que con el pasar del tiempo tomo un color completamente diferente (casi “comercial” o “consumista”) y la costumbre de entregar un muñeco u muñeca de regalo para “el Día del Niño” es ya casi mas importante que el significado original (el cual estoy convencida muy pocos Argentinos saben de que le va). - Esta tradición se pasa de generación en generación, esta implícita de un modo tan natural que ni siquiera la cuestionamos. Es un día para regalar juguetes y muñecas o muñecos de todo tipo a los niños y a los hijos de la familia, generalmente para “mimarlos” (del mismo modo que existe el día de la ‘La Madre’ u ‘El Padre’), y estaríamos mintiendo si decimos que este día no es mas sobre las muñecas que se regalan que sobre los derechos humanos (de los cuales estoy convencida de que muchos no tenían idea hasta leer este articulo). -- Nota curiosa: La ‘ONU’ (‘Organización de las Naciones Unidas’) lo celebra el 20 de noviembre de cada año {aunque no le crean, el primer día del niño fue festejado por Turquía en 1929}. - Técnicamente existe un "Día Internacional de la Niña" el que se celebra el 11 de Octubre, pero es relativamente una fecha nueva que pocos conocen ya que recién existe desde el 2011 y se centra en los derechos humanitarios de las niñas mas que en una fecha relacionada con muñecas/os.

.

* Nombre del festival: “Día de los BJDs” (#bjdday)

- País de origen: nadie sabe... supuestamente USA.

- Fecha/s: Según se dice es ‘bimensual’ (una vez cada dos meses) y es “el segundo Sábado del mes que toque”.

- Sitio Web: http://bjdconfessions.tumblr.com/tagged/BJDDay - No tiene un sitio fijo, se propaga por Tumblr, Tweeter, Facebook y cualquier ‘red social’.

- Historia y significado: Esta es difícil, literalmente es un día cualquiera cada dos meses, el segundo sábado del mes que le toque (sea el día que sea). No es un día tradicional y juraría que hasta hace unos años esto ni existía (estoy en el hobby desde hace mas de una década y esto es un invento “nuevo”, el primer post que vi fue del “Julio del 2014”, o sea, hace unos tres años). - ‘Exploto’ cuando llegaron los “hashtags” con el #bjdday y el furor de las redes sociales. - No tiene ni una historia ni nada parecido a un contexto u a un “porque”, es solo gente que “decide” (a como les de la gana) “cuando ellos quieren festejar el día de los BJDs” y lo esparcen por Internet. Pero básicamente es una fecha random (al azar) que se les ocurrió a ellos (como se le pudiese ocurrir a cualquier hijo de vecino); - El significado es compartir una foto de nuestros BJDs (o de algún doll) para “celebrar” que existan y las alegrías que nos traen, pero no tiene tradición y bien podría ser una fecha que a nosotros nos guste mas, por lo que no tiene demasiada repercusión en el fandom mundial en general y solo determinados grupos ““festejan”” esta extraña actividad cuyas intenciones son/fueron buenas y divertidas, pero carece de cualquier sustancia u tradición que aporte al “porque” deberíamos hacer ese festejo ese día en especial (y no cuando nosotros tengamos ganas). Sumado a que es muy seguido (si es bimensual es literalmente 6 veces por año), y cuando las cosas son demasiado “seguidas” son como las convenciones de comics en Argentina, ...ya perdieron la gracia hace rato. - Aun así, es en si misma desde hace un par de años una “fecha valida” para festejar si alguien así lo elige. ;)

.

Yo en lo personal, celebro el Hina Matsuri, ya que los BJDs hoy día son casi todos asiáticos y los BJDs de resina descienden de los primeros introducidos por la marca japonesa Volks en 1997, por eso siento que tiene mas relación el Hina-Matsuri que cualquiera de las otras festividades, aunque no, ni loca enviaría a mis muñecas viejas en un bote o las haría quemar en un templo budista (que aunque no lo crean hay templos budistas en mi área de Argentina), y es que mis muñecos mas viejos tienen suficiente edad para estar “súper-poseídos”, pero esta bien, porque yo aun los cuido, por lo que (aun) no han intentado matarme de noche o algo... (lol XD), y en breve este festival representa esa cultura asiática especifica, por lo que para mí el día de la muñecas es, en resumidas cuentas, el 3 del mes 3 (3 de Marzo).

Y ustedes ¿que día festejan? ;)

[newsintheshell]

Shinka no Mi, svelati un nuovo trailer e altri membri del cast della commedia fantasy isekai

L’anime comincerà ad andare in onda sulle tv giapponesi a partire dal 4 ottobre.

Il nuovo trailer di “Shinka no Mi: Shiranai Uchi ni Kachigumi Jinsei” fissa il debutto della serie animata, tratta dall’omonima commedia fantasy isekai firmata da Miku, per il 4 ottobre.

L’adattamento è prodotto dagli studi FEEL (Hinamatsuri, Remake our Life!) e CHILDREN’S PLAYGROUND ENTERTAINMENT (Tsukiuta The Animation 2, Hatena Illusion).

Assieme al video è stata pubblicata anche una nuova locandina della serie.

Inoltre, al cast già annunciato si vano ad aggiungere:

Lulune: Rimi Nishimoto (Rimi Ushigome in BanG Dream!)

Karen Kannazuki: Yoshino Nanjo (Shirabe Tsukuyomi in Symphogear)

Louise Balze: Yoko Hikasa (Rias Gremory in High School DxD)

Hitsuji-san: Satomi Arai (Beatrice in Re:Zero - Starting Life in Another World)

Olga Carmelia: Yurika Kubo (Loki in DanMachi)

La regia è in mano a Yoshiaki Okumura (Antique Bakery, Monsuno: World Master), mentre della sceneggiatura si sta occupando Gigaemon Ichikawa (Duel Masters, Kedama no Gonjiro). Il character design è invece curato da Minami Eda e la colonna sonora è composta da Hifumi, Inc (Escha Chron).

Questa è la storia di Seiichi Hiiragi, un ragazzo disprezzato da tutti i suoi compagni di classe, che lo considerano brutto, paffuto e puzzolente. La sfortunata esistenza di Seiichi prende una piega ancora peggiore e beffarda quando la sua classe viene trasportata in un altro mondo, ma al contrario degli altri, lui si ritrova solo in mezzo alla natura selvaggia, inseguito da un gorilla femmina di nome Salia, invaghita di lui. La vita dell'improbabile coppia prende, però, una svolta positiva quando i due ingeriscono il leggendario “frutto dell'evoluzione” che scatena in loro una trasformazione inaspettata!

La light novel è stata lanciata online nel 2014 e, dallo stesso anno, viene pubblicata anche in formato cartaceo con le illustrazioni ad opera di U35 (Lapis Re:LiGHTs, Aquatope of White Sand). Al momento ne sono usciti in Giappone 12 volumi.

Dal 2017 ne viene serializzata anche una versione manga, disegnata da Sorano, il cui 6° volumetto è stato pubblicato lo scorso 30 gennaio.

* NON VUOI PERDERTI NEANCHE UN POST? ENTRA NEL CANALE TELEGRAM! *

Autore: SilenziO)))

[FONTE]

[turtlycute]

2020 Anime Watch Master List: Part 2

This is the second part of my master list for the new (to me) anime I watched in 2020. It was so fun to watch this list grow as the year went on.

July- December:

Midnight Occult Civil Servants (2019) episodes: 12 plus 3 ova started: 7-1-20 finished 7-2-20 rating: 7/10

Wotakoi: Love Is Hard for Otaku (2018) episodes: 11 + ova started: 7-3-20 finished: 7-8-20 rating: 9/10

Restaurant to Another World (2017) episodes: 12 started 7-9-20 finished: 7-14-20 rating: 7/10

Kids On The Slope (2012) episodes: 12 started: 7-15-20 finished: 7-16-20 rating: 9/10

Toilet Bound Hanako Kun (2020) episodes: 12 started: 2-17-20 finished: 7-30-20 rating: 9/10

Castle Town Dandelion (2015) episodes: 12 started: 7-27-20 finished: 7-31-20 rating: 7/10

Dr. Stone (2019) episodes: 24 started: 8-3-20 finished: 8-6-20 rating: 7/10

Hakata Tonkotsu Ramens (2018) episodes: 12 started: 8-7-20 finished: 8-8-20 rating: 9.5/10

Dagashi Kashi (S1, 2016) episodes: 12 started: 8-18-20 finished: 8-19-20 rating: 6/10

Smile Down the Runway (2020) episodes: 12 started: 8-19-20 finished: 8-20-20 rating: 8.5/10

After the Rain (2018) episodes: 12 started: 8-20-20 finished: 8-21-20 rating: 8/10

Great Pretender (2020) episodes: 14 started: 8-24-20 finished: 8-25-20 rating: 9.5/10

Bungo Stray Dogs (S1, 2016) episodes: 12 started: 8-26-20 finished: 8-27-20 rating: 7.5/10

Promare (2019) movie watched: 9-3-20 rating: 7/10

Charlotte (2015) episodes: 13 started: 9-15-20 finished: 9-17-20 rating: 8.5/10

Erased (2016) episodes: 12 started: 9-18-20 finished: 9-19-20 rating: 9.5/10

WataMote: No Matter How I Look At It, It’s You Guys’ Fault I’m Unpopular! (2013) episodes: 12 started: 9-22-20 finished: 9-23-20 rating: 7/10

Hinamatsuri (2018) episodes: 12 started: 9-24-20 finished: 9-26-20 rating: 8/10

Great Pretender: Case 4 (2020) episodes: 15-24 started: 9-29-20 finished: 9-30-20 rating: 9/10

Angels of Death (2018) episodes: 16 started: 10-1-20 finished 10-4-20 rating: 7/10

High School of the Dead (2010) episodes: 12 started: 10-5-20 finished: 10-6-20 rating: 4/10

Death Note Re-Light (2007-2008) episodes: 2 movies started: 10-7-20 finished: 10-7-20 rating: 7/10

Witch Craft Works (2014) episodes: 12 started: 10-12-20 finished: 10-13-20 rating: 7.5/10

Flying Witch (2016) episodes: 12 started: 10-15-20 finished: 10-16-20 rating: 8.5/10

Blood Lad (2013) episodes: 10 started: 10-17-20 finished 10-18-20 rating: 7/10

Diabolik Lovers II: More, Blood (2015) episodes: 12 started: 10-18-20 finished: 10-18-20 rating: 3.5/10

Black Blood Brothers (2006) episodes: 12 started: 10-19-20 finished:10-20-20 rating: 7.5/10

Servamp (2016) episodes: 12 started: 10-20-20 finished: 10-21-20 rating: 7/10

Devils Line (2018) episodes: 12 started: 10-22-20 finished: 10-23-20 rating: 7.5/10

Zombie Land Saga (2018) episodes: 12 started: 10-25-20 finished: 10-26-20 rating: 7/10

Tokyo Ghoul (2014) episodes: 12 started: 10-28-20 finished: 10-29-20 rating: 8/10

Interviews With Monster Girls (2017) episodes: 12 started: 10-30-20 finished: 10-31-20 rating: 7/10

Masamune-kun's Revenge (2017) episodes: 12 plus ova started: 11-2-20 finished: 11-4-20 rating: 7.5/10

Beck: Mongolian Chop Squad (2004-2005) episodes: 26 started: 11-16-20 finished: 11-19-20 rating: 9.5/10 *I really enjoyed the soundtrack for this show 10/10

Higashi no Eden (Eden of the East) (2009) episodes: 11 started: 11-23-20 finished: 11-25-20 rating: 7/10

Hamatora (2014) episodes: 12 started: 12-4-20 finished: 12-6-20 rating: 7/10

Angel Beats! (2010) episodes: 13 + OVA started: 12-7-20 finished: 12-9-20 rating: 8/10

Rampo Kitan: Game of Laplace (2015) episodes: 11 started: 12-10-20 finished:12-11-20 rating: 7/10

In/Spectre (2020) episodes: 12 started: 12-14-20 finished: 12-15-20 rating: 7/10

Fruits Basket (2020) season 2 episodes: 25 started: 4-6-2020 finished: 12-23-20 rating: 9/10

Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba(2019) episodes: 26 started: 12-21-20 finished: 12-29-20 rating: 8 /10

Click here to see Part 1

[madara-fate]

I remember you once made a post a few years ago about your top 3 animes every year since 2010, but it stopped at 2016. Care to finish the list for the decade?

I’ve always thought about doing that actually, so this was good timing. I’d also just like to highlight the following because I noticed that I had failed to make this clear in my original post - This list incorporates solely the TV series versions of anime, so any OVAs or movies will be excluded. That’s rather painful for me to do because a movie like A Silent Voice is not only my joint favourite anime movie of all time, but it would certainly be in my top 3 anime of the decade in general, but alas, this is the rule that I have chosen.

2010:

Special mentions to Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood and Bakemonogatari, both of which finished airing in 2010, and would have both made the top 3, but they both started airing in 2009 :)

Honourable Mention: Seitokai Yakuindomo

Top 3:

3. Shiki

2. High School of the Dead

1. Nodame Cantabile Finale

2011:

Honourable Mentions: Ano Hana, Haganai: I don’t Have Many Friends, and Shakugan no Shana III.

Also a Disclaimer - I have not watched Hunter X Hunter (2011), I want to but I just haven’t gotten to it yet, but I’m pretty sure it probably would have made my top 3 for the year, or at the very least an honourable mention.

Top 3:

3. Fate/Zero

2. Mirai Nikki

1. Steins;Gate

2012:

Honourable Mentions: Ano Natsu de Matteru, Another, Love, Chunibyo & Other Delusions!, Hyouka, Nisemonogatari, Psycho-Pass, and Sakurasou no Pet na Kanojo.

Top 3:

3. Fate/Zero 2nd Season

2. Kokoro Connect

1. Zetsuen no Tempest

2013:

Honourable Mentions: Haganai: I don’t Have Many Friends NEXT, Hataraku Maou-sama, Suisei no Gargantia, and Tokyo Ravens.

Top 3:

3. The World God Only Knows: Goddesses Chapter

2. Monogatari Series: 2nd Season

1. Attack on Titan

2014:

Honourable Mentions: Fate/Stay Night: Unlimited Blade Works, Gekkan Shoujo Nozaki-kun, Grisaia no Kaijutsu, No Game No Life, Ookami Shoujo, Seitokai Yakuindomo 2nd Season, Knights of Sidonia, and Witch Craft Works.

Top 3:

3. Akame ga Kill

2. Your Lie in April

1. Parasyte -The Maxim-

2015:

Honourable Mentions: Grisaia no Rakuen, Monster Musume, One Punch Man, Owarimonogatari, Prison School, Shokugeki no Souma, and Knights of Sidonia 2nd Season.

Top 3:

3. Fate/Stay Night: Unlimited Blade Works 2nd Season

2. Death Parade

1. Ore Monogatari

2016:

Honourable Mentions: Shokugeki no Souma 2nd Season, My Hero Academia and Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu.

Top 3:

3. ReLIFE

2. Boku Dake/Erased

1. Re:Zero

2017:

Honourable Mentions: Inuyashiki, Tsuki ga Kirei, Re:Creators, Tsurezure Children, and Shouwa Genroku Rakugo Shinjuu: Sukeroku Futatabi-hen.

Top 3:

3. My Hero Academia 2nd Season

2. Made in Abyss

1. Attack on Titan Season 2

2018:

Honourable Mentions: Goblin Slayer, Grand Blue, Hinamatsuri, Miss Caretaker of Sunohara-sou, My Hero Academia 3rd Season, Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai, Sword Art Online: Alicization, Steins;Gate 0, Teasing Master Takagi-san, and Wotakoi: Love is Hard for Otaku.

Top 3:

3.That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime

2. Violet Evergarden

1. Attack on Titan Season 3

2019:

Another Disclaimer - 2019 was VERY difficult to choose a top 3, probably the hardest choice in the entire decade, so I bolded the other three shows that were this close to making the cut, but just missed out, because I wanted to make it clear that they were far above the other honourable mentions.

Honourable Mentions: Astra Lost in Space, Carole and Tuesday, Cautious Hero, Fruits Basket (2019), Fire Force, The Helpful Fox Senko-san, How Heavy Are the Dumbbells You Lift?, Kaguya-sama: Love is War, OreSuki: Are You The Only One Who Loves Me?, The Quintessential Quintuplets, The Rising of the Shield Hero,Teasing Master Takagi-san 2, and Vinland Saga.

Top 3:

3. Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba

2. The Promised Neverland

1. Attack on Titan Season 3 Part 2

And there you have it, my top 3 animes for each year of the last decade, with some honourable mentions. As you can probably already guess, I’m a huge Attack on Titan fan. It’s my favourite series of the last decade, and my 3rd favourite series overall, behind only Cowboy Bebop (2nd) and Code Geass (1st).

[somegirlsnerdywords2]

Anime i’ve Watched

That begin with a H (Part 3)!

Yep this is how i’m going to bring over all the anime and manga i’ve watched and posted about on the old blog. It’s not so detailed but it will have to do. Anything new I watch or read from this point on will have their own posts.

Hetalia Axis Powers:

Genres: ONA, comedy, historical, parody 

Synopsis:  What if nations were people? What traits would they have? What would this mean for historical events? Hetalia Axis Powers takes these questions and runs with them, personifying countries into characters. The show takes a comedic and light approach to politics and historical events while educating the viewer. Taking place primarily during the events of World War I and World War II, the story focuses on the Axis Powers and occasionally throws the spotlight onto the tumultuous relationship between the Allied Forces. The Axis Powers feature the titular character North Italy, who is clumsy, carefree and loves pasta; Germany, who is very serious but easily flustered; and Japan, who is stoic but has bizarre interests. Based on Hidekaz Himaruya's widely popular webcomic turned print manga, Hetalia Axis Powers is a historical comedy that pokes lightly at culture, examines the relationships between nations and breathes fun into history. [Written By MAL Rewrite]

My Rating: 8/10

Finished airing in 2010 with a total of 52, 5 minute long episodes. 

My Thoughts: What an odd but fun concept. I originally did episode reviews for this one and unfortunately was unable to ever view the remaining seasons. Can’t really say whether i’d suggest this one or not but it certainly was interesting. Could potentially be something that someone who was really into world history would be into. 

Himouto! Umaru-chan:

Genres: comedy, school, seinen, slice of life

Synopsis: People are not always who they appear to be, as is the case with Umaru Doma, the perfect high school girl—that is, until she gets home! Once the front door closes, the real fun begins. When she dons her hamster hoodie, she transforms from a refined, over-achieving student into a lazy, junk food-eating otaku, leaving all the housework to her responsible older brother Taihei. Whether she's hanging out with her friends Nana Ebina and Kirie Motoba, or competing with her self-proclaimed "rival" Sylphinford Tachibana, Umaru knows how to kick back and have some fun! Himouto! Umaru-chan is a cute story that follows the daily adventures of Umaru and Taihei, as they take care of—and put up with—each other the best they can, as well as the unbreakable bonds between friends and siblings. [Written by MAL Rewrite]

My Rating: 9/10

Finished airing in 2015 with a total of 12 episodes. 

My thoughts: Now this was a comedy anime that I loved! The character deign was adorable and the comedy was enjoyable. Something light hearted and fun for your viewing pleasure! 

Himouto! Umaru-chan R:

Genres: comedy, school, seinen, slice of life

Synopsis: Umaru Doma is a model student who has a hidden side: when she gets home each day, she puts on her hamster hoodie and turns into a sluggish otaku fond of junk food. As Umaru continues these daily antics, the friendship between her and her classmates—Nana Ebina, Kirie Motoba, and Sylphinford Tachibana—deepens, and more and more interesting events begin to unfold.Of course, these events give rise to numerous questions. What did Nana ask of Umaru's brother Taihei? Who is the mysterious girl with the diamond hairpin? And most important of all: why does this girl seem to know Umaru? These questions and more will be answered in Himouto! Umaru-chan R![Written by MAL Rewrite]

My Rating: 8/10

Finished airing in 2017 with a total of 12 episodes. 

My Thoughts: The comedy continues into the second season! Though to be fair I felt that something about it was just the slightest bit off... like a small bit of its original charm was missing. Still and extremely enjoyable season overall but not as amazing as the first. Or perhaps my taste had simply changed. 

Hinamatsuri:

Genres: comedy, sci-fi, seinen, slice of life, supernatural

Synopsis:  While reveling in the successful clinching of a prized vase for his collection, Yoshifumi Nitta, a yakuza member, is rudely interrupted when a large, peculiar capsule suddenly materializes and falls on his head. He opens the capsule to reveal a young, blue-haired girl, who doesn't divulge anything about herself but her name—Hina—and the fact that she possesses immense powers. As if things couldn't get any worse, she loses control and unleashes an explosion if her powers remain unused. Faced with no other choice, Nitta finds himself becoming her caregiver. To let her use her powers freely, Nitta asks Hina to help out with a construction deal, which goes smoothly. But while this is happening, a rival yakuza group covertly attacks his boss. To Nitta's shock, his colleagues later pin the blame on him! Tasked with attacking the rival group in retaliation, Nitta steels himself and arrives at their hideout. But suddenly, Hina unexpectedly steps in and helps him wipe out the entire group. As it turns out, Hina might just become a valuable asset to Nitta and his yakuza business, provided she does not use her powers on him first! And so the strange life of this unusual duo begins. [Written by MAL Rewrite]

My Rating: 9/10

Finished airing in 2018 with a total of 12 episodes. 

My Thoughts: Any character in a comedy that has a completely deadpan expression and generally colourless tone of voice is sure to be my favourite. This is entirely true of Hinamatsuri, though to be fair I loved the entire cast of characters. The characters, art and comedy are all strong points of this anime. Another light one to enjoy when you may be feeling a bit down!

Hitorijime My Hero: 

Genres: drama, romance, school, shounen ai, slice of life

Synopsis: Masahiro Setagawa is a hopeless teenager who is often used by the neighborhood bullies as an errand boy. Defenseless, Masahiro knows that nobody will ever save him. However, his life drastically changes when he meets Kousuke Ooshiba, a man known as the "Bear Killer," who takes down neighborhood gangs. A year later, Masahiro and his former friend, Kensuke Ooshiba, attend high school, only to find that Kousuke is their math teacher. While the three grow closer, Masahiro starts to view Kousuke as his "hero," and Kousuke develops an urging desire to protect Masahiro. However, their normal lives take a turn when Kensuke's childhood friend, Asaya Hasekura, returns, seeing Kensuke as more than just a friend, much to his surprise. Will the three boys be able to live a regular high school life? Or will forbidden love keep them apart forever? [Written by MAL Rewrite]

My Rating: 7/10

Finished airing in 2017 with a total of 12 episodes. 

My Thoughts: Not an amazing shounen ai but certainly one of the better ones that have made it to anime. None of that creepy dubious consent or abuse here. Bit of an age difference but there isn’t any racy, sexy time so it’s all good. A cute and mostly innocent romance. Nothing amazing but fine enough. 

Honobono Log:

Genres:

Synopsis:  Some of us are fortunate enough to have a partner to confide in on our bad days. In even the most devastating times, we can depend on our comrades for support. Others are incredibly lucky to have a special someone that they can just randomly embrace. No matter the situation, there always tends to be a close ally to help us get by. Honobono Log showcases the best and worst of couples and families, enticing romantic-comedy lovers with various relatable situations.

My Rating: 7/10

Finished airing in 2016 with a total of 10 episodes. 

My Thoughts: Bite sized glimpses into the romantic lives of a handful of characters. Cute and occasionally touching. Nice artwork. 

[kaleidodreams]

Top 50 Favorite Anime Series Of The Decade

I originally wanted to make this a Top 100 list, but I found that by the time I reached the mid-forties that I was listing series that I liked just fine but wasn’t super-enthused about, so Top 50 seemed like a good cut off. This list is only my opinion and not meant to be a objective list of the best series of the decade, just the ones I personally loved the best! (Also, keep in mind that I stream most of my anime on Crunchyroll, which affects which series I’ve been exposed to.)

1. Yuri!! On Ice (2016)

2. Fruits Basket (2019)

3. Shirobako (2014)

4. My Love Story!! (2015)

5. Showa Genroku Rakugo Shinju (2016)

6. Bakuman (2010)

7. Space Brothers (2012)

8. ReLife (2016)

9. Oh, Maidens In Your Savage Season (2019) 

10. Chihayafuru (2011)

11. Sailor Moon Crystal (2014)

12. Card Captor Sakura Clear Card (2018)

13. Tiger & Bunny (2011)

14. Bloom Into You (2018) 

15. My Roommate Is A Cat (2019)

16. Yamada's First Time (2010)

17. A Place Further Than The Universe (2018)

18. Yona of the Dawn (2014)

19. Zombie Land Saga (2018)

20. Death Parade (2015)

21. Your Lie In April (2014)

22. Major 2nd (2018)

23. Sound! Euphonium (2015)

24. Amagi Brilliant Park (2014)

25. Snow White With The Red Hair (2015) 

26. Haikyu! (2014)

27. The Promised Neverland (2019)

28. Monthly Girls' Nozaki-kun (2014)

29. Hinamatsuri (2018)

30. Kakuriyo: Bed and Breakfast for Spirits (2018)

31. Orange (2016)

32. Given (2019)

33. Free! (2013)

34. Recovery of a MMO Junkie (2017)

35. Ancient Magus' Bride (2017)

36. Sakura Quest (2017)

37. Love Stage!! (2014)

38. My Hero Academia (2016)

39. School Babysitters (2018)

40. Kaguya-sama: Love is War (2019)

41. Hanasaku Iroha (2011)

42. How To Keep a Mummy (2018)

43. Interviews With Monster Girls (2017)

44. Idolish7 (2018)

45. Flying Witch (2016)

46. Kiss Him, Not Me (2016) 

47. Another (2012) 

48. Bunny Drop (2011)

49. Tanaka-kun is always listless (2016)

50. Golden Time (2013)

The rule I used for inclusion on this list was that a series had to start between the years 2010 and 2019, which unfortunately knocked off some fantastic series that straddled between the last decade and this one. So, HONORABLE MENTIONS: Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood, Kimi Ni Todoke - From Me To You, Natsume’s Book of Friends, and Kobato. 

[yasbxxgie]

By the time I made the hike down the long pathway from the top of Kyoto’s Fushimi Inari to the houses below, I was thirsty. Which was convenient, since many local residents take advantage of foot traffic from the mountainside Shinto shrine by hosting small cafes in their homes. It was on that winding street that I first encountered amazake, an ancient, non-alcoholic, lightly fermented rice drink, which a helpful English sign noted could be served “hot or cold”.

I looked at the faintly sweet and creamy drink as a reward for my physical activity, one that, like kombucha, promised to replenish me after physical activity. But what my ¥400 (£3) bought me was actually a microcosm of Japanese culinary history.

First developed in the Kofun period (around 250 to 538AD), amazake was originally a food fermentation and preservation technique, created by boiling rice, water and koji, a filamentous fungus that is also used in the fermentation of miso, natto and soy sauce, for eight to 10 hours. The resulting drink, which is packed full of nutrients and gut-friendly bacteria, became so popular that it’s even mentioned in the Nihon Shoki, a text compiled in 720AD that comprises the oldest official history of Japan.

Since then, the drink has seen several rises and falls in popularity. Sales jumped 134.8% between 2016 and 2017, according to food and drink exhibition Foodex Japan, at the time that at-home fermentation became a trendy pastime. The drink then continued its popularity in 2019, thanks in no small part to boyband Kanjani Eight, who were hired to act as spokespeople for Hiyashi Amazake, a popular brand throughout Japan. Amazake also has a regular presence in cafes and convenience stores across the country, with locals sipping on it as a morning treat or afternoon pick-me-up.

Hiroshi Sugihara (杉原大), a fishmonger and fermentation enthusiast originally from Japan’s Aichi prefecture who relocated to Perth, Australia, has seen the rise of fermentation culture firsthand. His Facebook group THE BREW LIFE-発酵生活 has swelled to more than 5,900 members worldwide since its creation in 2014. Already a fan of fermenting miso and doburoku (a form of sake), he enjoyed introducing amazake, a drink from his childhood, to the group.

“It was very interesting and there were mixed reactions from Caucasian [members] but Asians were able to relate [it] to some of their traditional sweets,” he said.

Sugihara fondly recalls drinking hot amazake at temples on New Year’s Eve. Because the beverage is believed to have warming qualities (particularly due to ginger, which is often used to add flavour), it tends to be heavily consumed during the winter months, a period that includes several major holidays, including the Hinamatsuri “Doll Festival”. This has resulted in many Japanese people considering the drink as a tie to both their past and current national culture. As Shihoko Ura, author of food blog Chopstick Chronicles explains, her memories of amazake are laced with a fair amount of sentimentality, particularly now that she’s migrated to Australia.

“I used to be a Red Cross-trained RN in Ise City, Mie prefecture, where there is [the] famous Ise Shrine,” she recalled. “Ise shrine served free amazake for worshippers, and we first-aid employees were also offered the drink. I was always looking forward to the sweet treat when I had a little break in [my] eight-hour shift.”

Amazake is a sugary drink, as hinted at by its name, which translates to “sweet sake”, even though it only contains trace amounts of alcohol due to the fermentation process. Because of that translation, finding it in convenience stores can be tricky for non-Japanese speakers, who should consider asking for a brand name, such as Hiyashi Amazake or Marumi-koji-honten to avoid being served alcoholic sake instead.

As I sipped on my drink, I was surprised by the lumpy texture, similar to rice porridge, due to the small pieces of koji suspended in the liquid. At roughly 80 calories per 100g, it’s healthier than its creamy texture might initially imply, and fans of amazake claim it can positively impact seemingly every part of the body, including hair growth, weight loss, hangover recovery, sleep cycles and bowel movements.

Because of its nutrients, which include B6, folic acid, ferulic acid, dietary fibre and a notable amount of glucose, many claim it deserves a place in Japan’s stable of hangovers cures, which includes beverages made from turmeric or beef liver, ingredients meant to clean a specific organ. And amazake’s drinkable, easy-to-digest, gluten-free nutrients have also earned it the nickname “drinkable IV”, something that Sugihara confirms from experience.

“I usually have it when I have cold or fever and especially when I don’t have an appetite,” he said. “Amazake is something easier to swallow, yummy, and, thanks to the power of starch-breaking enzyme [found in the koji], it’s sort of pre-digested so kind to the digestive system, too.”

Its qualities are also thought to go beyond health benefits. As Misaki (文咲), a model and Spa LaQua ambassador in Tokyo explains, the drink is also loved by the beauty community. “Vitamin B group contained in amazake is related to metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids and proteins, skin and hair,” she told me via email. “Therefore, beauty effects are expected. Amazake also contains an ingredient called ergothioneine, an antioxidant that has the effect of suppressing skin aging.”

But with any food touted as an ancient cure-all, the big question remains. Does it actually work?

Adam Yee, an Austin-based food scientist and host of the podcast My Food Job Rocks, agrees that the minerals and vitamins contained in amazake will help the appearance of skin and hair – if consumed in large amounts. But he also says that the power of suggestion plays a large part in determining a food’s worth. He cited bone broth’s spike in popularity, a beverage that made many similar claims, as one example of good PR. However, he also made it clear that because amazake has an element that’s still very hard to scientifically account for, there may be some hidden, unaccounted truth to these claims.

“Fermentation is something that we really don’t know much about,” he explained. “It’s not like, give it one thing and [it] spits out another thing. Food is so complex, the koji that’s eating whatever it’s around, might actually create something different. You can say the same thing about yeast. Bread and wine are two different things, even though they use the same yeast strain.”

Currently, amazake is barely known outside of Asia. But that looks set to change. Like matcha, which has found its way into desserts both at home and abroad, amazake has become a ubiquitous part of Japanese cuisine, often extending past beverage status. Its continuing success outside of Japan was even predicted by America’s Test Kitchen, who named koji its number one food trend forecast for 2020.

John Sugimura (杉村), corporate executive chef and concept-brand director at PinKU Japanese Street Food in Minneapolis, has turned the drink into a signature part of his offerings, using it both as a creamy base and a way to add unexpected bursts of texture.

“I enjoy delicious baked goods including amazake for its nutrients,” he said. “For me growing up [with Japanese and German parents in the United States], I enjoyed amazake and banana smoothies. I have the most experience making pickles using amazake. And my greatest accomplishment has been incorporating amazake into my ‘sexy sesame dressing’ and salad.

This fusion of cultures may be what will eventually help amazake become a food trend outside of Japan, similar to the way kombucha and quinoa are now widely considered health foods outside their native regions of China/Russia and the Andean region of South America.

Atsushi Nakagawa (中川 貴司), owner of Amazake Co in California, agrees, noting that by linking it to already-popular products, he only has to provide his consumers with a basic introduction to the drink and its potential benefits. After completing apprenticeships at miso and koji microbreweries in Japan over the last few years, he’s pleased at how his knowledge of amazake has sparked the interest of his Los Angeles-based clientele, and how he’s been inspired to play with traditional flavours.

“They get it,” he said. “Especially they love our amazake-mixed latte drinks. We offer Japanese ceremonial matcha, Golden Milk (turmeric, ginger and cinnamon) and horchata flavours. In the last few weeks, more and more people are becoming interested in our Pure Amazake, which is undiluted, so they can use it however they want.”

It might be easy to think of amazake as another trendy food. After all, bone broth, Brussels sprouts and açaí have all seen spikes and falls in popularity. However, those who grew up with amazake see its resurgence within Japan and its gradual introduction outside the country as an opportunity to take pride in their culture. As Sugimura explains, it’s that mindset that encourages him to experiment with the drink’s benefits – and has informed much of his career in food as a whole.

“When I was young, I resisted many Japanese traditions out of fear for the code of etiquette,” he said. “As a third-generation Japanese-American lacking mentoring, there were so many expectations on social behaviour, I became overwhelmed. Fast forward, [and now] every day is a celebration of my Japanese-American heritage.”

Amazake is a cup of Japanese history, but the natural energy the beverage delivers still feels very relevant today. I finished my drink, and returned the glass to the cafe owner, ready to continue exploring Kyoto. It might have just been the superfood at work, but not only did I feel nourished, I felt connected, too.

[digimonkingin]

Lina vistiendo un hermoso kimono, ahora sabemos que esta preparando imagen para el Hinamatsuri de este año.

[astoryofalove]

So now ppl are making fun of cleriths thinking CA were married...weren't they the ones 100% seriously claiming the wedding topper alone and items of clothing matching made it a solely CT event? It's like they think that's logical but it's not logical to infer Cloud kneeling and Aerith THROWING A BOUQUET means CA married in brigade too...

Clerith did marry. They were released as husband and wife for Hinamatsuri in 2013, antis said it didn’t matter. Then Cloud and Aerith were married for June Bride in 2017, and antis STILL said it didn’t matter. Then Clerith was wed again for Hinamatsuri in 2018... and like clockwork, antis denied it meant anything. Now that ZA got their prom it suddenly matters lol? The antis are being clowns. Plain and simple. So let them dance in their circus lol It’s as if Square/Brigade did this on purpose just to test them to see if they’d be true to their hypocritical ways. If only one of the ships had got this stuff, that would be different (which is why I always said it was significant for Clerith, because until now, only CA had been married), but now we know it’s being done just for fanservice. So we’re all on equal playing field now. We might not be able to view it as “proof” anymore, but that doesn’t mean the clerith weddings never happened. It did. Thrice.

So just ignore the dummies.

[rainev1]

Top Anime of the Decade Part 3

Again, personal opinion and based on what I’ve seen and know of.

2017:

Contenders: Acca 13, Scum’s Wish, Made in Abyss, Girl’s Last Tour, Princess Principle, Recovery of an MMO Junkie, Akiba’s Trip the Animation, Dragon Maid and Sakura Quest. And my personal pick:

Little Witch Academia

2018:

Contenders: Revue Starlight, Megalobox, Aggretsuko, Hinamatsuri, Bloom into You, Jashin-chan Dropkick, and Zombie Land Saga. And my personal pick is:

Happy Sugar Life

2019:

Okay, this year is gonna be kinda hard since a lot of the fall shows won’t finish until winter of next year so this could potentially change. But for now the contenders are: Welcome to Demon School Iruma-kun, Babylon, Vinland Saga, Dororo, Demon Slayer, Carole and Tuesday, Sarazanmai, Hitoribocchi, and Demon Girl Next Door. My pick for top anime of 2019:

Promised Neverland